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We’re talking about writers block today. And how you can beat it before it beats you.

A great place to start is to point out what is causing blank page syndrome. Nice term, eh? - because it describes the problem perfectly. Or perhaps we should call it “blank screen syndrome” these days because you’re probably tapping out your articles on a keyboard with a computer screen in front of you.

1) BEWARE OF PERFECTIONISM

With this mindset, you only want to produce perfect stuff. It must be a masterpiece of literature or you won’t release it.

That opening sentence must be just right. So you reject all those half-dribbled opening lines while you wait for perfection to descend upon your keyboard. Sorry, it probably won’t happen.

Write twaddle if you need to - but start writing.

If you cant write twaddle, write codswallop.

2) BEWARE OF EDITING WHEN YOU SHOULD BE COMPOSING

Experts in how the brainstorming process works tell us to just keep up the flow of ideas. Let ‘em flow. Do nothing to stop them.

Don’t evaluate anything.

Don’t correct anything.

Don’t stifle anything.

Just let the ideas flow out of you onto the screen.

For now it doesn’t matter a whit if it’s A-grade garbage.

Let it flow.

Certainly don’t reject any idea. Just keep the ideas flowing like a gusher.

The critiquing and editing process comes later, after the brainstorming session is over. That’s how brainstorming sessions are supposed to be run. All the crazy off the wall ideas are captured and written down.

Do the same with your writing.

Write twaddle if you need to - but start writing. Leave the editing till later.

3) HOW TO GET STARTED WHEN YOU CANNOT GET STARTED

Why is it that the first sentence always seems the hardest? To folks with writer’s block, it does.

Write inane drivel for your first sentence if you need to. You can always delete it later.

ONE SOLUTION that works for me is to think of the writing task like replying to an email. Emails are so temporary - they are not intended to be works of art. They are designed to quickly get a bit of info to somebody. They’re certainly not submissions to the Literary Prize Department. They’re just you quickly dash out to say what has to be said.

Here’s how the “pretend it’s an email” trick works. I imagine my buddy or a subscriber of mine has written asking me a question and I want to dash off a quick but helpful reply. Something like

“Hi John. Got your email, thanks. In my experience, the best way to get rid of those pesky aphids from your rose bushes is…”

And you’re away.

No drama.

No performance pressure.

No thought that you are writing the next Great American Novel.

It’s just a quick email.

And the main thing is… you’ve started writing. Come back to it later with your Editor’s hat on and do the needed editing - and you’re ready to publish.

ANOTHER SOLUTION that also works for me is to just start out by saying I dont know what to say. Something like…

“i dont know what to say so i am just typing rubbish here. my article is supposed to be about how to pick a family friendly puppy but i havent a clue about what to say first of all. i wonder what sort of things parents would be thinking about as they head off to the pet shop…”

Okay. If you just delete the first useless sentence and tidy the rest up a little bit, this would be okay. It might turn out something like this…

“This article is about how to pick a family friendly puppy. What sort of things should parents be thinking about as they head off to the pet shop?”

And then you’re into it. Let the conversation flow. Start answering the question and you’re in business. Pretty soon your article has written itself.

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